Police, community and calendar briefs for Feb. 27, 2013

Published: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6:35 p.m.

DUNNELLON — A 35-year-old Dunnellon man considered a fugitive of justice from Georgia on a drug charge was apprehended Monday by local and federal authorities.

Eric Green was taken into custody by Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Task Force at a Southwest Rainbow Lakes Boulevard address.

Stewart Cottingham, a supervisory inspector with the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, said Tuesday that Green was serving a 15 year sentence on a methamphetamine charge and was at a halfway house. He said Green went on a job search Feb. 14 and after roughly eight hours of not knowing his whereabouts, the Georgia Department of Corrections Fugitive Unit notified the southeast task force and the two agencies began searching for for Green.

The authorities determined he might be with a woman in Florida and sent that information to the local task force, which led to the arrest.

Tiffany M. Cain, 32, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

According to reports, a sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle in the 3000 block of Northeast 55th Avenue after noticing some letters on the tag were covered up. The deputy detected an odor of marijuana and asked the driver to get out of the vehicle.

The deputy searched the vehicle and found two small baggies containing methamphetamine, a coffee filter containing the drug, a needle containing meth residue and several small baggies commonly used to package drugs, all inside a purse.

Inside a backpack were several products used to manufacture meth and a gallon-size plastic bag that contained methamphetamine and products used to make the drug.

The drug unit was called and took the bag for disposal.

Cain remained at the jail Tuesday, with her bond at a total of $20,500.

Toddler injured after television falls on him

SUMMERFIELD — A 2-year-old toddler is expected to recover from his injuries after a television set fell on top of him, according to sheriff’s officials.

The child’s mother, Lacey Lyons, told a deputy she walked into a bedroom Monday with her son, Gavin Scott Lyons, following behind. She turned the light on and walked out of the room, then heard a crash and turned around and saw that the television, described as an older model, had fallen from a dresser and was on top of her son, according to reports.

Gavin was flown to Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville for treatment.

Detective Rhonda Stroup later checked with the hospital and was told the boy had received a laceration to his ear and is expected to fully recover.

COMMUNITY

Deadline for essay contest is Thursday

The deadline to submit entries for the Marion County Children’s Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup’s Student Essay Contest in recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month is Thursday.

The theme is “Raise Your Voice: Break the Silence on Teen Dating Violence.” The contest is open to all Marion County students in grades six through 12.

Students can choose from the categories of visual arts (drawings, paintings or posters), video (PSA or music video) or written works (songs, poetry or essays).

Prizes ranging from $50 to $100 will be awarded March 15 at the middle and high school levels.

For more information, call 438-5990 or 438-5993, or visit www.breakthesilenceonviolence.org.

Writers conference has spots remaining

The annual Florida Christian Writers Conference still has room for attendees to hone their skills and meet with editors, agents and other writers. The conference runs Thursday through Sunday at the Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg.

For information, visit www.floridacwc.net.

Baby shower for widow of soldier

Amvets Post 19 is hosting a baby shower for Shaleka Sims, the widow of Pfc. Markie Sims, who was killed in action Dec. 29 in Afghanistan.

The shower is planned for 3 p.m. April 7 at the post, 13131 E County Road 316, Fort McCoy. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, call Libby Rawson at 318-5851.

Retired military appreciation day

The annual Patrick Air Force Base Military Retiree Appreciation Day will be held April 13, at the base. For more information, call 321-494-5463 or email patirck.rao@us.af.mil.